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Enjoy a post
Thanksgiving tour you'll be very thankful for experiencing. |
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You'll enjoy a luxury cruise
along the Danube from
Budapest to Nuremberg.
Plenty of included shore
excursions (at no extra charge) make this a varied kaleidoscope
of European life, enhanced by the seasonal Christmas markets
where a delightful variety of local craft items are offered for sale.
Additional Travel Insider
exclusive touring options before and after the cruise make for a
total wonderful experience that you'll treasure forever (or, at
least, in the case of many Travel Insiders, until you choose to
repeat it again!).
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Travel Newsletter |
Want to be the
first to get the latest news on new tours and travel opportunities?
Then you need our travel and touring newsletter. It's free.
:)
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Detailed Day by
Day Itinerary for the 2017
Danube River Christmas Markets Cruise
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You should be in this
picture, too!
The proof of
the pudding is in the eating. And the proof of our
praise of these lovely Christmas cruises is surely in this
picture of the wine and food galore being
enjoyed by some Travel Insiders at dinner on our 2015
Christmas cruise, also on the Amacerto.
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Tour Itinerary
Join a small select group of fellow Travel Insiders
on this luxury cruise/tour of up to five countries in Europe's heartland, in
December 2017.
 Tasteful
luxury abounds on the lovely Amacerto. |
Our tour combines major capital cities with small
unassuming villages, interspersed with sometimes unspoiled pure nature in
the raw.
Flexibility is a distinctive feature, with
many times you having a choice of different touring
activities (all free!) during our port stops, helping ensure you see and do
exactly what you want.
Here are the details of what we’ll do each day during this
wonderful experience.
|
Click here for the main
details of this cruise and the booking form to confirm your
interest.
And if you'd like more information on what you'll see and enjoy
on this cruise, here is a
day by day photo journal of a similar Christmas cruise.
Detailed Daily Itinerary
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Sunday 10 December -
or sooner :
Leave the US |
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Take an overnight flight from the US to Europe today. |
You
can either make your own arrangements to travel to Budapest,
or else take advantage of the air addon to the cruise fare.
You should leave the US today or
earlier, so as to arrive in Budapest on Monday (or sooner)
in time for the start of the Christmas Markets Danube River
Cruise, with boarding scheduled for Monday afternoon.
We suggest you should arrive at least a day before the start
of the cruise. This gives you some 'just in case'
time, should something come up during your travels (and the
travels of your bags too!) and also some time to decompress
and un-jetlag after the journey.
You could simply come a day or two early and spend the time
at a Budapest hotel, but to turn the extra time into a
positive, please consider our optional one or two night
extensions, immediately below.
Note - If you've chosen an optional pre-cruise extension, please read
the blue bordered option sections immediately below. Otherwise,
if you'll arrive on Monday, skip on down to
the green bordered section starting on Day 1, Monday 11 December. |
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Optional Extension 1 One extra night
in Budapest, Monday touring
(Sunday 10 December) - Budapest |
A view across the Danube to central downtown Budapest,
also showing a couple of river cruise ships moored.
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If you decide to add one night in Budapest before the
cruise, you would arrive into Budapest on Sunday 10
December. This probably means you would fly from home
on Saturday 9 December and take an overnight flight to
Europe.
You will probably arrive into
Budapest some time in the afternoon.
You can make your way to our
lovely hotel with a great location, tons of history and
charm in the center of stately Budapest, the former
co-capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
An optional airport 'Meet and Greet' and transfer with English
speaking driver can be added if you'd like this extra
comfort and convenience.
You have the rest of today to explore Budapest as you wish. |
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(Monday 11 December) -
Danube Bend Touring, Ship Embarkation
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The former artist colony of Szentendre, described by
some as 'the town that time forgot' features lovely
cobblestoned streets and fascinating boutique stores.
Visegrad Castle strategically overlooks the Danube and
surrounding region. In its center is the Solomon
Tower where Dracula was imprisoned.
The Basilica in Esztergom, where Hungarian kings were
formerly coronated, dominates the skyline and historic
township.
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After breakfast this morning we go on a lovely tour to three
towns adjacent to the Danube river in the area known as the
'Danube bend' (because the Danube bends 90 degrees from
flowing east to then flowing south).
We'll be joined today by the people who also did Option 2
(ie two nights in Budapest - see below).
First stop is Szentendre. This town is famous for its many art galleries and museums.
Its history stretches all the way back to the iron ages, and
has been held by various powers - the Romans, the Huns and
the Turks, before becoming Hungarian in 1690. Small
sized buildings and sparkling colors create the ambience in
which its artistic culture thrives.
Our next stop is Visegrad, a strategic town with its 13th
century citadel on top an 1100 ft hill dominating the region
and the river. This was the repository for the
Hungarian crown jewels until 1543 when the Turks invaded
(the jewels are now are on display in Budapest).
The
castle's Solomon Tower is where Vlad Tepes (aka Dracula) was
imprisoned between 1462-74.
We'll enjoy a traditional Hungarian lunch then continue on
to Esztergom, home of Hungary's largest church, extending
330 ft in height. This is the third largest church in
Europe, and looks somewhat incongruous in what, today,
appears to be a modest township.
Like both the other two towns we visit, it has a history
dating back to pre-history, and was the birthplace of the
first King of Hungary (St Stephen) and for a period was
where the Kings of Hungary were crowned.
Tantalizing ruins of its former grandeur are interspersed
with more modern architecture.
We then return back to Budapest and to the
Amacerto. Please now
move down to the green bordered cruise itinerary section.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch (then dinner on the ship) |
|
Optional Extension 2 A second night
in Budapest, Sunday touring to Bratislava
(Saturday 9 December) - Budapest |
Optional Extension 2 would have you arriving into
Budapest one day earlier, on Saturday 9 December.
|
Maybe you decide to arrive
into Budapest two days before boarding the ship, ie on
Saturday 9 December. That's a
great idea, because it gives you more time to 'recharge'
after your flight, and allows you to see and do considerably
more. In such a case, you'd
fly from home on Friday 8 December, taking an
overnight flight that would arrive on Saturday 9 December.
You will probably arrive into
Budapest some time in the afternoon.
You can make your way to our
lovely hotel with a great location, tons of history and
charm in the center of stately Budapest, the former
co-capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
An optional airport 'Meet and Greet' and transfer with English
speaking driver can be added if you'd like this extra
comfort and convenience.
You have the rest of today to explore Budapest as you wish. |
|
(Sunday 10 December) -
Bratislava, Slovakia
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Bratislava's main Christmas market is in its historic
town square.
Bratislava and its castle, as seen at night from the
Danube.
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After breakfast this morning we
will travel to Bratislava.
Depending on how many people in our group, we might do this
by comfortable fast train, or we might do it by chartered
coach.
Or, maybe, we'll go one way by coach and one way by train!
Either way, it is just under 3 hours travel time.
Bratislava is the capital of Slovakia, and is a lovely city
with a beautiful Christmas market in their main town square,
just a couple of blocks from the river. Restaurants
abound, and exquisite Slovakian crystal can be found in the
retail stores.
There's plenty of history as well, with city walls and gates
that date back to the 1300s.
We'll enjoy free time to sightsee and eat and drink and shop
as we wish, then will return back to Budapest and meet up
with our fellow travelers who are arriving for the one night
option.
Included Meals: Breakfast |
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(Monday 11 December) -
Danube Bend - see Option 1
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The river Danube as it flows around its 'bend' section,
north of Budapest. Please see the details in
Option 1 above for what we see and do on this day.
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On Monday we will go touring to the Danube Bend together
with the people who chose only the Option 1 package, then
board the Amacerto.
Please see above for details of this in the
Option 1
section, above.
Included Meals: Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner (on the Amacerto) |
|
Optional Extension - More time in
Budapest
(Friday 8 Dec and
earlier) |
Budapest's Great Market Hall - pick up some paprika,
some fresh fruit, enjoy some artisanal food, and people
watch in this huge covered market complex.
Maybe visit one of Budapest's famous historic spa baths
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If you wish to spend still more time in and around Budapest,
then by all means arrive into the city earlier.
There is plenty to see and enjoy in this stately city that
reminds one, wherever one looks, of when it was the joint
co-capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, through until
1918. (It shared this designation with Vienna.)
Let us know if we can help with suggestions for how to fill
extra time in Budapest. |
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Main Cruise Itinerary
Day 1 (Monday
11 December) :
Board our cruise boat, the Amacerto, in Budapest |
Our nearly new sleek slender boat is the lovely
Amacerto. Bratislava
Castle is in the
background.
A special treat is a nighttime cruise along the Danube
in Budapest to see all the evening Christmas lights.
This is their Parliament building.
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If Amawaterways is providing your transfer, you will
be met at the airport and transferred to the pier to embark
onto the Amacerto.
The crew will be preparing the
cabins for arriving passengers, and you are given access to
your cabin as soon as it becomes available, generally by
4pm, and in time to prepare for the Captain's Welcome
Cocktail Reception prior to our first dinner on board.
You can spend
your time relaxing in the ship’s lounge or doing some
exploring on your own in Hungary’s beautiful capital.
After dinner the ship sails to do an 'Illuminations Cruise'
around Budapest, showing all the gloriously lit buildings
and bridges before returning back to the dock.
Included meals - Dinner |
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Day 2 (Tuesday 12 December) :
Budapest |
A section of the massive Buda Royal Castle, as seen from the
Pest side of the Danube during the day. It too looks
lovely at night.
Christmas gifts galore are yours to choose from in all
the markets we visit along the Danube.
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Included Budapest Tour :
After breakfast, a morning sightseeing tour includes
historic Buda Castle, where we have a splendid view of the
twin cities of Buda and Pest spread over both banks of the
River.
The tour also features 500-year old Matthias Church,
St. Stephen’s Basilica, distinctive Fisherman’s Bastion, the
marvelous Royal Palace and much more in this city, the
former co-capital of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, redolent
with splendid palaces and magnificent buildings.
And - oh yes.
Christmas markets, of course!
After some free time to
stroll around the city, we are then transferred by coach to
rejoin the
ship, which - to save time - has already started
sailing towards Vienna.
Included Meals: Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner |
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Day 3 (Wednesday 13 December) :
Vienna |
Vienna's main markets in front of the imposing Town Hall.
Perhaps also visit the less touristy Spittelberg markets.
A Vienna street scene in the evening, illuminated by the
Christmas lighting.
Take a tour of, or perhaps attend a performance in, the
Vienna State Opera House.
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We arrive into Vienna this morning. The city is considered by some as the musical
capital of the world and is designated a
World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Included Vienna Tour :
We arrive into Vienna after breakfast, and set off on a coach and walking tour of one
of Europe’s most elegant and romantic cities.
Our tour
features the remarkable Ringstrasse, lined with imposing
palaces and grand residences, encircling the medieval Innere
Stadt (Inner City). See the magnificent Hofburg Palace,
glorious St. Stephan’s Cathedral with its gleaming spire and
the beautiful State Opera House.
We'll return to the
ship for lunch (but you're welcome to stay in the city if
you prefer).
During the afternoon, perhaps make your way to the Rathausplatz, site of Vienna’s
main Christmas
Market. Begun on a small scale in 1294, it has grown to be
Austria’s largest Christmas Market and truly transforms
beautiful Vienna into an enchanted holiday wonderland.
During your free time, you may want to take a ride on a
traditional horse-drawn fiaker, have some mouthwatering
Viennese pastry such as the famous Sacher Torte, or visit
the wonderful Art History Museum.
After dinner onboard ship, we offer a special Travel Insider
bonus - a free concert, held in one of the city’s palaces.
The concert
features compositions by Mozart and Strauss performed by a
Viennese orchestra.
The ship leaves Vienna shortly before midnight after a
magical day in this glorious city.
Included Meals: Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner |
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Day 4 (Thursday 14 December) :
Wachau Valley,
Melk, Linz |
|
We stop at Melk Abbey, 900 years old, and dramatically perched on
the cliffs above the Danube River. As you can see, its
enormous size dwarfs the town below.
The stunning interior of one of the rooms in the library
section of Melk Abbey.
We arrive in Linz, dating back to Roman times early this
evening.
This picture shows a fascinating contrast between a new
tram and old buildings in one of its central squares,
and of course, a Christmas Market.
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River Cruising & Included
Melk Abbey Tour : We cruise through a beautiful untouched stretch of
the Danube called the Strudengau, and through the World
Heritage site of the Wachau Valley during the early morning, arriving in Melk.
Disembark for an excursion to the dramatic
900-year-old baroque Melk Abbey, perched on sheer cliffs
high above the Danube. Its cherub-filled library boasts 365
windows—one for every day of the year. The interior of the
Abbey’s church is a kaleidoscope of red, orange and
gold—with a magnificent carved pulpit and shimmering ceiling
frescoes.
The Abbey is also a UNESCO World Heritage site and most
deservedly so - its library in particular has an
extraordinary collection of medieval manuscripts, and the
church interior has elaborate frescos. The Abbey is
still a working school, and more recently was featured in
Umberto Eco's book, The Name of the Rose.
The ship continues cruising through the afternoon, and
docks in Linz in the early hours of the evening with some
free time to visit the Linz Christmas markets.
Included Meals: Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner |
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Day 5 (Friday 15 December) :
Linz to
Passau - option to Salzburg |
|
If there is a more beautiful town in all of Austria than
Salzburg, I've yet to see it.
You'll find gifts and treats of all types in the varied
Christmas markets we visit on our tour/cruise.
Bring an extra suitcase with you and solve all your
Christmas gift giving challenges!
A sister ship, the Amadolce, moored in Passau.
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River Cruising or Tour to
Salzburg : After breakfast, most of us
will choose to disembark for a coach excursion to
Salzburg, Mozart's birthplace and one of
Europe’s major music centers.
See the stunning exterior of Schloss Mirabell, featured in
the classic film, The Sound of Music. You’ll enjoy a walking
tour featuring Salzburg Old Town, a gem of baroque
architecture that is protected as a UNESCO World Heritage
Site. See the courtyard of baroque St. Peter’s Church, the
former home of Mozart, and charming Getreidegasse.
Getreidegasse is Salzburg’s most famous shopping lane
surrounded by high, narrow houses and lined with enticing
shops with wrought iron guild signs and secluded courtyards.
Have lunch as it suits you at a local restaurant and then enjoy some free
time to explore on your own. You’ll find Christmas Market
stalls and decorations in various places around the city,
especially in especially in Mirabell Square.
In the late afternoon, we'll drive to Passau, where the ship has
sailed to meet us. On the way we'll visit the small
town of Oberndorf bei Salzburg - you might never have heard
of the town, but you've surely heard the Christmas carol
composed here in 1818 - Stille Nacht, or, in English, Silent
Night.
The ship remains docked in Passau overnight,
so you can disembark for an evening stroll and to see more
Christmas markets, after dinner, if
you like.
Note - the Salzburg tour is an
option. If you prefer, simply enjoy a leisurely day on
board Amacerto, cruising
from Linz to Passau.
Included Meals: Breakfast,
Lunch (on ship), Dinner |
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Day 6 (Saturday 16 December) :
Regensburg |
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The old town of Regensburg survived World War 2 virtually
intact, and so is a treasure trove of ancient medieval
architecture.
I
am enjoying a mug of gluhwein at my favorite market in
Regensburg.
|
Included Regensburg Tour,
Christmas Market & Leisure Time : After a
morning's cruising and
lunch, disembark for a walking tour of the town, one of
Germany’s largest and (since it suffered virtually no damage
in World War II) best-preserved medieval cities, and now a World
Heritage site.
See the gleaming spires of Gothic St. Peter’s church with its
stained glass, the Old Town Hall and the 12th century Stone
Bridge, which is Germany’s oldest bridge. After the tour,
you’ll enjoy a visit to the town’s Old Corn Market, which is
the location of Regensburg’s venerable Christmas Market.
You have time to stroll through the stalls and do some
shopping at your own pace.
This evening we have a chance to visit my favorite of all
the Christmas markets, the wonderful market set inside the
grounds of the Thurn und Taxis palace.
Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
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Day 7 (Sunday 17 December) :
Nuremberg |
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We'll tour around Nuremberg's old town, seen here with
the castle in the background.
The sprawling main town square markets in Nuremberg, the
largest in the world.
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River Cruising :
During the morning, we travel along the modern engineering marvel, the Main-Danube Canal,
as it traverses the Franconian Alps via 16 enormous locks.
Included Nuremberg Tour &
Christmas Market : After lunch, we
will have arrived into Nuremberg, and will enjoy a panoramic
tour of this medieval city surrounded by 13th-century walls.
Today Nuremberg evokes the notorious post-World War II war
crimes trials, but throughout its history, the city was
known for its handcrafts, particularly toys and fancy
metalwork. You’ll see where the trials were held and the
grounds where Nazi rallies were held, as well as the
imposing Imperial Castle.
After the city tour, visit the city’s renowned Christmas
Market. With a 400-year history, Nuremberg’s Christkindelsmarkt (Christ Child Market) is Germany’s
- and the entire world's - largest and most famous Christmas
market.
Amidst beautiful holiday
decorations, you’ll stroll past stall after stall offering
everything from ceramics and porcelain to Christmas
decorations and toys. Sample mouthwatering local delicacies
from hot mulled wine and marzipan to Nuremberg’s famous
bratwurst and gingerbread.
The ship stays in Nuremberg overnight.
Included Meals: Breakfast,
Lunch, Dinner |
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Day 8 (Monday 18 December) :
Cruise ends in
Nuremberg |
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One of the Amawaterways fleet moored in Vilshofen.
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Our lovely Danube Christmas Markets Cruise comes to an end
this morning.
Because we arrived into
Nuremberg yesterday, you can take
flights onward or homeward at any time you wish.
Alternatively, please continue reading down for a lovely
optional extension and a great way to end your tour.
Included Meals: Breakfast |
| |
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Optional
Extra 1 Two nights to Prague
(Monday 18 December) :
To Karlovy Vary via Bayreuth |
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Bayreuth's 'other' opera house - the Margravial Opera
House - is stunning, and deservedly a World Heritage
site. Click the image to open a larger more
detailed picture.
One of Karlovy Vary's Grand Promenades.
The Grand Hotel Pupp, often featured in movies due to
its grandeur.
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This is a wonderful addition to your core cruise experience,
showing you more parts of Europe, away from the Danube.
We start with a short journey to the small town of Bayreuth,
famous not only for its extraordinarily ornate Margravian
Opera House, but also for the Festspielhaus, designed and
built by Richard Wagner as a dedicated site where his operas
could be
perfectly performed. This is the holiest of holies for Wagner lovers the world
over, and still each summer presents his operas with the
world's finest singers.
After lunch we continue on to Karlovy Vary (formerly known
as Carlsbad) in the Czech Republic.
Although this spa town dates back to 1358, it came into its
own in the 19th century when 'taking the waters' became
fashionable across Europe, due to its 12 natural springs
with hot mineral water.
Grand buildings abound, along with stately walkways.
The city is also known for its Moser glassware.
And if
you don't wish to drink the strong flavored mineral water,
it is also home of Becherovka, a herbal bitter liqueur.
We'll spend the balance of the afternoon and the
evening in Karlovy Vary.
Included Meals: Breakfast
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(Tuesday 19 December) :
To Prague via Holasovice and Cesky Krumlov |
Some of the distinctively styled buildings in Holasovice
village.
Beautiful Cesky Krumlov, surrounded on three sides by
river, and guarded protectively by a castle.
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Three different World Heritage experiences today!
We first travel to Holasovice village, an exceptionally complete and well-preserved example of a
traditional central European village. It has a large number of outstanding 18th and 19th century vernacular buildings
in a style known as 'South Bohemian folk Baroque', and preserves a ground plan dating from the Middle Ages
Next it is on to Cesky Krumlov, a beautifully preserved
medieval town on the banks of the Vltava river (Moldau),
with a mix of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements.
We'll stop here for lunch and an exploration around this
lovely town, then continue on to our final destination for the
day, Prague.
Included Meals: Breakfast
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(Wednesday 20 December) :
Prague |
A typical stately street scene in Prague.
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After breakfast at our hotel in Prague this morning, this
two night option comes to an end.
Most people will choose to stay an extra night in Prague,
which is described in the Option 2 section, immediately
following.
Included Meals: Breakfast
|
|
Optional
Extra 2 Add an Extra Day and Night in Prague
(Wednesday
20 December) : Prague Tour and Dinner |
Looking across the Vltava river, Charles Bridge on the
left, and Prague Castle in the background.
Our underground cellar restaurant serving us wonderful
traditional Czech food for dinner this evening.
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Most people will want to see a bit of glorious Prague and so
will stay for this extra day and night.
We provide the ideal combination of convenience and
flexibility for you today.
We offer you a half day tour of the
highlights of Prague, then allow you the other half day to
explore and see what you wish, as you wish.
You can choose to enjoy lunch as and how you wish, and then
for dinner, we have a very special event - a dinner in one
of Prague's best cellar restaurants, with an excellent
location close to the main square (and close to our hotel).
Wonderful Czech traditional dishes, large mugs of Czech
beer, some gypsy music, and good company - what better way
to mark the end of our European Christmas Experience!
Included Meals: Breakfast,
Dinner
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(Thursday 21 December) :
Prague |
Prague's famous Astronomical Clock in the tower on the
left, our restaurant last night under one of the arches
on the right, our hotel just out of sight, down an
alleyway in the background.
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This extra day and night in Prague comes to an end after
breakfast in the hotel this morning.
If you wish, you can of course stay longer in Prague - see
the next option. Alternatively, if you leave for home
today, you'll probably be back later on Thursday, still
giving you three days before Christmas back home.
Included Meals: Breakfast
|
|
Optional
Extra Thursday night in Prague
(Thursday 21 December) : Another
day in Prague |
The Christmas Market in Prague close to our hotel.
|
If you're not in a rush to head home, why not stay in Prague
for another day and night.
There's plenty to see and
do in the Prague area, and if you wish, why not actually do
nothing at all except stroll around the historical city
center and enjoy some of the delicious foods in the
Christmas markets and restaurants.
Included Meals: Breakfast
|
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(Friday 22 December) :
Prague and onwards
If you spent Thursday also in Prague, this morning, after
breakfast, is when you'd then choose what to do and where to
do it next.
Maybe stay in Europe for Christmas?
We're here to help if you'd like some suggestions and help
with additional arrangements.
|
Note - the schedule sometimes changes slightly to fit
in with lock times, etc, and so this itinerary may slightly change between now and departure.
Click here for the main
details of this cruise and the booking form to confirm your
interest.
Click here for a
day by day photo
journal of what you'll see and enjoy on a Christmas Markets
Cruise.
Originally published
13 Apr 2017, last update
30 May 2021
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